假日吃喝玩乐

上周末，我们去了KLCC的书展。适逢学校假期，整个书展人山人海，很多大人小孩站累了，就拿了本书，席地而坐，旁若无人地进入书中情境。我们还有幸的近距离看见前首相Tun M. 贤伉俪，还有名主播叶剑锋。由于太多人了，我用最快的速度浏览所展出的书籍，然后，再以最符合个人经济效率的时间与金额，购买了书，然后，带着几乎是‘逃离’的心态，离开了书展。有了精神粮食，就轮到肉体上的粮食需要补充了。

我们选择了这家日式餐厅。餐单上的选择蛮多，可价钱也不便宜。结果，我们各点了套餐，价廉物美！

Lime Mojito & 冰绿茶

烧烤鳗鱼套餐

 

日式蒜头炒饭配上烧烤和牛块

开斋节假日，去戏院看了3D 卡通片 “CARS 2”。 这是我们第一次观看3D影片哩！过后，去了美式快餐厅Chili's用餐。我第一次到这家餐厅大概是在七年前了。那时，我刚踏入社会工作，薪水少得可怜，这类餐厅对我来说已经可算是高级了。多亏老板不吝啬，带我们一班同事到这里吃午餐慰劳我们。

 

 我们的前菜： Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip with chips

 

 Soup of the day 和主菜： BBQ Beef Spare Ribs

虽然只点了这些，可是由于分量实在太大了，我们还是没办法全吃完。

园艺新手

想为新家的L字型天台增添一些绿意，特意去买了几包泥土，一包向日葵及一包百里香种子、一盆绿色植物、三个空盆，两包肥料，兴致勃勃的开始了十年树木的计划。当中，还包括了他的母亲为我们栽培的辣椒树及芦荟。

既是园艺新手，又是懒人，所以，第一眼看到这棵不知名的植物，就喜欢上了。心想，应该不太需要花心思打理它吧！

胡乱的撒下了那些种子，每天浇些水，再带着一丝丝期待的心情干等着。快一星期了，盆里依旧是黑乎乎的泥巴，心想大概是种子埋得太深了，把它压得透不过气，挣不脱层层叠叠的压力，夭折了。岂知，就在我要放弃时，它却破土而出，炫耀着它的生命力！看到这棵幼苗，让我看到了未来我的阳台上将会有一整排的向日葵迎着阳光，灿烂的绽放着！

洋葱也顺利的发芽了，它们可是肩负着提供绿油油的青葱让我烹煮佳肴的重任哦！

可是，这棵辣椒树，却像是提不起劲来。拜托，争气点！要不然，我就没有辣椒吃了。

Chances

Finally, after thinking for years, talking and waiting for months, I got the offer from UPM to pursue my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or more well-known as Permanent Head Damage among us. 2 days ago, went to do the medical check-up as required, and then went to do the new student registration. Yes, I am a student again! Being a student is not so excited, but is the student card that cheer me up. Why? Because I can, and of course, I will, fully utilized the benefit of this 'special' card to get whatever discount rate entitled for. I still remember that when I went to Taipei 3 years ago, I brought along the student card to get some discount for the entry tickets. Hahaha...

Things not always come along as what we planned or expected. I planned to finish the minimum 12 credit hours coursework in this semester. However, it turns out that the faculty only offer 6 credit hours in this semester. I have to spend 2 semesters to fulfill the minimum requirement. Well, since the figures in my saving accounts balance are decreasing, I can't afford to be a full time student for 2 semesters, without incomes. Luckily, I have friends. Friend in need is a friend indeed! I was introduced to apply for part time tutor post in KTAR.

The timing is very important. They seriously short of staffs, so, I received a call in just a few hours after I sent my CV. And, based on my previous experience, they willing to offer me 13.5 teaching hours per week as part time tutor. Although the pay is not too high, still enough to cover my expenses. Of course, I happily accept the offer!

After reading, you guys must be thinking that I am so lucky, have such a good chance to realize my PhD dream and working opportunity. I also think that I am lucky, except for 1 thing! When I got the academic calendar from UPM, I almost fainted! The exam weeks fall on the 1st 2 weeks in Jan 2012. That's the time I booked flight ticket to Bangkok! I guess, this is the opportunity cost for me. Haih ... ...

新家

经过6个月的等待，我们终于可以搬进新家。虽然，转换名字的法律程序还在进行中，但是，我们还是以租借的方式，搬了进来。由于前任屋主留下了蛮多的可用家具，所以，我们只须重新粉刷墙壁，再添加一些家具，就可以搬进来住了。前任屋主很会保养家具，虽然差不多是十年的屋子了，但是，看起来还是很新很美，就只是款式稍微旧了。我可不介意，因为，省下了不少钱。为了省时省力，花了三千块，请人粉刷，让旧屋焕然一新。

这是入口处，我们特意买了张桌子，摆在那儿作为装饰。桌上的假盆栽，是前任屋主留下的，由于还没觅得合适的装饰品，暂时就吧它们摆在那。入口处的橱柜，成了我们的杂物柜，非常好用。

客厅一隅。沙发、咖啡小桌及电视橱柜都是旧的。阳台呈L字形，其实，另有一处晒衣的地方，只不过，前天及昨早下了场大雨，适逢太阳难得显露出来，赶紧把握时机，把衣服放在阳台晒一晒。电视机是我的父母送的，音响则是他的两个弟弟合送的。书橱，我的最爱，暂时还空空，因为，还有一箱的书还没搬过来。书橱里的贱兔和趴趴熊毛公仔，有着我和他的回忆。

主人房，简单的摆放着一张新买的双人床，加上原有的梳妆台及衣橱。比较吸引人的地方，是浴室里的浴缸。不过，我们却碍于安全原则（怕跌倒，哈哈！），还没享受过泡泡浴。

饭厅、第二浴室及客房（也被我充做储物房）。客房里的衣橱已被我塞满备用床单、冬装夹克及空盒子。

前任屋主留下了一张书桌及一个3格书架，所以，我们另外再买了一张书桌。同时，为了可以摆放文件夹和书本，我们把三个3格书架横放叠高，形成了较经得起书本重量的书架。你们可能会奇怪为何不干脆再买一个类似客厅里的书橱，何必那么麻烦？一个3格书架只须RM50，一个书橱可是要价RM900，你认为呢？

厨房是我们决定买下这间公寓的关键因数。因为，这间的厨房不止很大，还有完整的壁橱和灶炉，附送一个大冰箱。壁橱还有屋主特别制作的电灯开关。下图中间那张照片里的一套杯碟瓷具，是我的两位昵称Dear Housemate的同事兼室友赠送的。

非常明显的晒衣处，虽然是地方比较窄小，但是，总算有特定的一个小角落。他的父母送的洗衣机。

我的两个弟弟送的洗尘机。

我们把屋主留下的门帘窗帘送去洗衣店清洗干净，再把它们挂起来，将就的先用着，等待年终大减价时，再去扫货，哈哈！这就是预算有限的解决方案啦！

最后，送上这张迷人的夜景，这是从我家的天台拍摄的，羡慕吧？谢谢大家的包容，让我可以在这里炫耀一下。

Busy Month

Another 2 more days to go, then, I'll be officially unemployed! Although I am considered "on leave" since end of last month, it seems like I have a busier life than I was working.

Last 2 weeks, I was at my hometown. Went back to hometown not for enjoying my holidays, but pretty occupied with the preparation jobs for my brother's wedding. Quite funny if you found out that I went back 1 week earlier than the couple who getting married; and busy with cleaning the house, finalizing the guests list, preparing all the stuffs needed for the big day, as if it was me who getting married. What to do? That is my brother!

Finally, the wedding dinner is over. And here, I am back to KL, busy with moving into my new home. After months of waiting, we can now move in. Luckily, there are not much renovation works to carry out, only need to re-paint the house. We hired 3 uncles for the painting job, they are incredibly fast, started painting on Monday, today already done all the works, finished in 2.5 days!

We only need to buy some new furniture, as the house can considered fully furnished. What we need are bed for master bedroom, washer, TV, bookshelves and study tables. The previous owner already had built-in kitchen cabinet and wardrobes for 2 bedrooms, plus sofa, TV console and dining table. This is very good to us, can save lots of money!

We need to clean the house in these few days, then, move the stuffs on this weekend. And yes, we eventually have our home sweet home!

"阅读大马“书展的收获

今天，一个人到绿野会展中心举行的“阅读大马”书展逛逛。结果，今天的收获就是：

买了五张的CD专辑，每张各有3片CD， 总共RM100。一回到家，兴致勃勃地想要马上沉醉在音乐世界中，结果，放入手提电脑，一点动静也没有，唉！盒上说明适合播放于任何发烧音响、车载音响及各音像专门店，没想到，电脑不包括其中。

书展怎可少了书呢？只买了这两本，《福尔摩斯先生收》的包装很精美，整本书包裹在类似信封的封套里，结果就吸引了我。毕竟收藏书本来就是我的嗜好之一，更何况是一本如此精美的书。另一本《慕色拉行动》，是一位曾经在美国担任卧底探员的特务所执行的一次任务。

其实，有太多的书想买了，碍于经济上及体力上的限制，没办法将它们全都带回家。看到一套《福尔摩斯全集》，在那琢磨挣扎了半天，还是打消了念头。我还记得，第一次接触推理小说，就是柯南。道尔的《福尔摩斯》。那时侯，我还只是小学四年级，在图书馆偶然翻阅了简易版，结果，从此就爱上了推理小说。

或许，我还是会按奈不住，再去书展把那套《福尔摩斯全集》搬回家？！

挥别

上星期五一早进入校园，就开始去完成离职前须办的手续。之前，人事部已给了我一张表格，需要四个不同的部门负责人签名，证明我已归还所有公司物品，方可离去。于是，我就像索取明星签名般，会见各个负责人，让他们在该表格，盖章签上大名。

临走前，用手机拍下了这两张照片，为我这三年来曾经在山城的校园留下足迹作为见证；同时，也为我五年的“误人子弟”生涯，写下完美的休止符。

别以为我为我的离去很伤感，其实，一点也不！要不然，也不会一早就去办离职手续，于10点10分（通常手表广告常展现的最完美时刻，哈哈！），潇洒的，头也不回的，绝尘而去！

再见了，希望我们后会有期！

发型

今天终于又忍不住的去修剪我的头发了。距上一次的理发时间，大概是三个月左右吧！时间上说长不长说短不短，发型也一样，只不过开始有点乱翘，考验我的忍耐度。

结果，今天也是考验我的忍耐力，因为，我花了5小时的时间 + 差不多是薪水的12%， 弄了一头又是电直又是染色又是挑染的，不长又不短的发型。如没记错，上一次染发，不知是在读大学时，还是刚毕业走出校园踏入社会时，少说也有八九年了。哇！原来我是那么地落伍！

趁着我还没宣布破产坐食山空时，狠狠地、故作潇洒的改变形象一次。希望可以让人眼前一亮，至少，也可以提醒自己作为现代女性，一定要记得保持亮丽光鲜的形像。

Eat eat drink drink in April

I had spent a great time for this two weekends. You'll agree with me after viewing the following photos. Haha... Last week, we went to Ikea & The Curve. We didn't buy anything in Ikea, just window shopping, to get some ideas on our new home reno & deco. Often, shopping is not our main objective, but food is! So, we went to The Curve to search for food. After surveying those restaurants for minutes, we decided to have our lunch in Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., which we never try before.

Today, we went to The Gardens & Mid Valley. This time, I have a shopping mission: I need to buy a dress for my brother's wedding dinner in June. As usual, we reached there about 10am, to avoid traffic jam in the car park. Our first destination - Paddington house of Pancakes. Again, we never try this before, and I suggested this since I have no idea where to have our breakfast. Unexpectedly, there are a variety of choices in their menu. All looks very delicious!

I had a cup of Flat White, it is actually the brewed coffee with milk. Seems very common, but it is nice. He had a cup of hot tea, it was served with a cup of hot water with a Lipton tea bag! Haha...

He ordered a set of English pancakes with banana and honey; the set included the hot tea. I had a pancake omelette with ham, cheese and lettuce.

After shopping for about 3 hours, it's time to have lunch. Since we already have a western-style breakfast, we would like to have Asian-style for our lunch. At first, I suggested to have Thai cuisine, but he disagree. Then, this comes into my sight - Spice of India. The manager explained to us that their restaurant serves North India cuisine, not as spicy & hot as South India, and they use lots of spices that makes the dishes more aromatic.

On the left, it is Masala Tea. It looks like our teh tarik, but I think they put some cinnamon. On the right, it is iced lemon tea.

The bean-made cracker is a complimentary. The green colour sauce is made from peppermint, but I have no idea on the red colour sauce. It tastes like a mixture of sweet & sour.

Anti-clock wise from top left: Murgh Tikka Masal (it's chicken), Palak Paneer (it's spinach), chawal (white rice) & plain Biryani rice. The food are tasty, but the portion is too much for us. We can't finish all. What a waste!

Such a great times! By the way, I achieved my shopping mission today, besides enjoying the food.

结束与开始

五年前，我加入了教育工作者这个行业。自大学毕业后，只有两年浅短的工作经验。经过了一番的考虑，终于决定要继续深造，以完成自己的理想与梦想，毅然决然地辞掉了之前的那份工作，当个全职的学生。当然，全职学生并不易当，特别是在残酷的现实生活环境当中。幸而得到一位学长的介绍，我得以加入了教育工作者这个神圣的行业，成为一名助教。

当助教的十五个月里，当然面对了不少难题，特别是我完全没有任何的教书经验，一切从零开始。看似简单的工作，原来一点都不易。以前读大学时，看讲师们只是在讲堂前，毫无间断的授课两个小时，给一些作业，交代限时要交上那些作业，再告诉你什么时候进行考试，就下课啦！没想到自己的第一个学期，就被学生投诉说我不会教书，打击我的信心。幸好，学长与同事们的鼓励谅解与协助，我慢慢地摸索出自己的一套方法，开始有自信在几百人面前，口沫横飞的说上两个小时，喷得坐在前排的学生满脸都是，哈哈！

当然，五年来，从一名助教到后来可以独当一面的讲师，可以说是走了一条不长也不短的路，经历了不少事情，包括管理层的改朝换代，工作环境的变迁，还有一批又一批的学生。五年后的今天，我又做出了和五年前相同的决定，辞职，专心的读书，务必要在三年里完成最后一个深造阶段。还有两个月的时间，我就要暂别这个行业了。是时候为五年来的心路历程和感触做个了结。

也不晓得是不是自己的执著，食古不化，还是这个科技发达资讯爆炸的时代变化太快，总觉得人的素质在这两年下降得特别厉害，无论是学生亦或是身为讲师的新同事们，他们的处事态度都让我有点吃不消接受不来。大家都不再觉得教育工作者有着影响深远的任务，百年树人的精神，有教无类的原则，早就荡然无存了。现在的学生，大多数只在乎是不是可以轻松简单的考到好成绩，于是就希望讲师们教书时最好准备完整笔记，给作业最好也顺便准备完整答案，考试前最好给贴士，改卷时最好就眼盲心盲的让他们及格考上。讲师们呢，一方面害怕学生的投诉，一方面担心上司的评语，于是就尽力讨好附和上司和学生；罔顾了教育的意义。

我自知很多学生都不喜欢我的教书方法，也不敢说我的方法就一定对，只好安慰自己说只要有学生认同、接受与珍惜我的方法，哪怕是只有一位，我也要心满意足了，特别是日后这些我曾经教他/她的东西帮助了他/她解决问题。当然，我还是有虚荣心的，看到有学生肯来咨询我的意见，愿意与我畅谈他们所面对的问题，心里还是会有点喜滋滋的，成就感与满足感让我肯定了存在价值，支撑我继续做下去。

我一直提醒着自己，一定要保持着专业精神，常常都在注意自己与学生之间的言谈举止，可是又要让他们觉得我并不是冷酷无情的；要平易近人又专业，一点都不容易拿捏。有时，觉得自己有点分裂呢！

再此，我预祝：同事们工作称心如意，学生们考试顺利！